Re: What's the difference between GM Parts & aftermarket?

forget the 6bk/7bk RPO codes
they are tuned suspension codes that don't really mean a whole lot once the car is built
look for FE1 or FE3
if you have FE3 then you should also have F45 (F45 is the CVRSS RPO code)

Re: What's the difference between GM Parts & aftermarket?

Originally Posted by MoistCabbage

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I believe the Airtex labeled part is actually an OEM part. Sub would know.

It may be, but the electrical connector was bigger than the connector of the OEM part that croaked (meaning the one that came with my car from the factory). Perhaps the OEM part has been improved from the original design.

Re: What's the difference between GM Parts & aftermarket?

Moistcabbage, I'm not bothered at all. I was just looking for a concise reply, like Chris(rippy) gave. Notice I didn't demean him or anyone else for not reading that my car has the FE1 soft ride? Because that would create gibberish remarks. Thanks for your input nonetheless... Lol smdh....

It may be, but the electrical connector was bigger than the connector of the OEM part that croaked (meaning the one that came with my car from the factory). Perhaps the OEM part has been improved from the original design.

Moistcabbage, I'm not bothered at all. I was just looking for a concise reply, like Chris(rippy) gave. Notice I didn't demean him or anyone else for not reading that my car has the FE1 soft ride? Because that would create gibberish remarks. Thanks for your input nonetheless... Lol smdh....

I don't see what you not being rude to Chris' answer has to do with me answering your original question, or posting Gibberish.

You asked if there was a quality difference between OEM and after market parts, and more specifically, suspension components and wheel bearings, and that's the question I answered.. FWIW, members here range from technicians to people that don't know the difference between a radiator and an alternator (no offense intended). I try, and think succeed at wording my posts in a coherent and simple manner. If you can't deduce an answer out of either the specific and non specific info that I posted, then I guess I can't help you. The info is there for future readers of the thread.

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Originally Posted by Aztec ETC ECS

I've never seen an SLS with RSS.
If the wires were cut on an RSS system, you get a message & codes.
Are your struts/shocks even bad?
If not, I suggest just driving your car.

A fair amount of certain model year SLSs had CVRSS (F45). I'm not sure if it was not offered after a certain year or not, but it seems at least very rare on '01+ cars.

Re: What's the difference between GM Parts & aftermarket?

Moistcabbage you incriminate yourself. I digress, just the typical attitude of the majority of internet cats that feel they can speak to grown folk any way they please, just cuz they're in front of a screen. I'm cool with that. It is what it is. Sign of the times. I do understand that one is guilty until proven innocent, or, one is not mechanically inclined unless he says he is. I am.

Aztec, yes the car rides fine, but not like a Caddy. Feels like the CTS, harsh. Granted the CTS has a sport suspension & foose rims. The guy I bought the SLS from drove it like it was stolen, & had heavy 22" rims on it for the last 15k miles. I think it's safe to say the engineers didn't mean for the car to deal with that type of stress. At 105k miles currently, the suspension needs an overhaul...

Re: What's the difference between GM Parts & aftermarket?

Wow, this post really exploded.

This is one of those cases that if you really want to start replacing suspension parts price out the dealer stuff, then see what the aftermarket stuff sells for. Some of the parts are specialized and the dealer is your only source, but some stuff is out there aftermarket that works just the same way and is just a good of a part for a better price. You don't always have to go OEM to get good parts.

Re: What's the difference between GM Parts & aftermarket?

Originally Posted by rydamee

Aztec, yes the car rides fine, but not like a Caddy. Feels like the CTS, harsh. Granted the CTS has a sport suspension & foose rims. The guy I bought the SLS from drove it like it was stolen, & had heavy 22" rims on it for the last 15k miles. I think it's safe to say the engineers didn't mean for the car to deal with that type of stress. At 105k miles currently, the suspension needs an overhaul...

I've put aftermarket struts in one of my STS's and it rode just fine.
Maybe the extra money I had leftover in my pockets helped cushion the ride a bit.

Moistcabbage you incriminate yourself. I digress, just the typical attitude of the majority of internet cats that feel they can speak to grown folk any way they please, just cuz they're in front of a screen. I'm cool with that. It is what it is. Sign of the times. I do understand that one is guilty until proven innocent, or, one is not mechanically inclined unless he says he is. I am.

Re: What's the difference between GM Parts & aftermarket?

I think there is just some misinterpretation here. Things in type don't always come across as we hear them in our heads or as intended and people do not always read them the way we intended. From what I've seen in this thread, this is much ado about nothing.

FWIW, I've never seen MC be rude or condescending to anyone. Time for a group hug.

Re: What's the difference between GM Parts & aftermarket?

Originally Posted by RippyPartsDept

forget the 6bk/7bk RPO codes
they are tuned suspension codes that don't really mean a whole lot once the car is built
look for FE1 or FE3
if you have FE3 then you should also have F45 (F45 is the CVRSS RPO code)

I even have heard that there are some SLSs with CVRSS (F45) struts and shocks, but with FE1 spring package! I am not sure, but read it in this forum! I think the main keywords are F45 or F55, which directly indicate the presence of CVRSS or magnaride suspension systems respectively and OP should look for F45 code.